NJ Online Casino List, News, FAQs

New Jersey is one of three states to offer legal online gambling sites. While in NJ, you can play at any of the online casinos and poker sites regulated by the NJDGE and listed below. To learn more about NJ’s legal online casinos, jump to the FAQ.

No deposit bonuses: questions and answers

No deposit / free play bonuses are very common promotions at online casino and poker sites, second in ubiquity only to the deposit match bonus. But because of the “free” aspect of the promotion, many players often have questions about the logic, fine print or validity of such offers.

Below find answers to a handful of the most regularly asked questions about no deposit promotions.

Do I need a promo code to claim these offers?

Generally speaking, no. If an NJ online casino promo code or bonus code is necessary to claim an offer, we will note the code in the description of that offer. But the majority of these offers are just standard opening bonuses at the casino or poker site and don’t require a special promotional code to claim.

How can casinos afford to give money away?

No deposit bonuses are a marketing expense like any other marketing expense. Casinos expect a certain value from each customer they bring through the door and are willing to spend up to a number below that value in order to bring customers through the door.

Casinos don’t really care if that money is spent on billboards, a new flashing sign or customer promotions. All are marketing expenses from the view of the bottom line. And that’s how casinos afford to give money away to new players.

It also helps that the amounts involved tend to be small, and the terms of the offer prohibit players from simply cashing out the money right away.

Who qualifies for no deposit bonuses?

Generally speaking only new customers at a given casino qualify for the no deposit offer. If a casino has both poker and casino no deposit offers – like Borgata and 888 do – players are typically forced to choose one bonus or the other.

Some operators are more restrictive, only allowing one bonus per household address or device.

Is there any limit to how many no deposit bonuses I can get?

A casino usually only allows players to take advantage of a no deposit bonus a single time. But there’s nothing stopping players from taking advantage of no deposit bonuses at various casinos and poker rooms.

Most of NJ’s regulated online casinos and poker sites offer some sort of no deposit bonus. If you claimed them all, you’d be looking at roughly $100 in free play.

Can I just cash the bonus out right away?

No. Rooms usually attach some sort of wagering or withdrawal requirement to prevent bonus abuse.

A typical requirement is that you wager the bonus money “x” number of times before you are able to cash out. For poker, the site might require you to pay a certain amount of rake before cashing out.

What information do I need to provide?

To create an account at one of NJ’s regulated online casino sites or poker sites, you will need to provide your name, address, email address and social security number.

You may also have to answer some questions to verify your identity. All of this information is required by New Jersey regulations.

One of these sites is asking me for my Social Security number. Should I provide it?

Only if you feel comfortable, obviously. But you will need to provide it in order to create a valid account at any New Jersey online casino or poker room.

Regulated online gambling sites are required by law to verify customer identity in order to prevent money laundering and other criminal abuses.

NJ online casino FAQ

Legal online gambling now over five years old in New Jersey, though it’s natural that players still have a healthy amount of questions about how these casinos work, who’s behind them and what rules and agencies govern regulated online gambling websites in NJ.

Below we’ve collected answers to the questions we’re most often asked about New Jersey’s legal online casino sites. Contact us if your question isn’t covered below.

What do you mean when you say “legal” online casinos? What makes one legal and another illegal?

On Feb. 27, 2013, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christiesigned a bill that authorized the operation of regulated online casinos in the state.

After issuing licenses and promulgating regulations, New Jersey gaming regulators – specifically the Division of Gaming Enforcement – gave the go-ahead on Nov. 21, 2013, to approved operators to start offering online casino games and online poker games to players located within the state’s borders.

Only land-based casinos in Atlantic City – along with their licensed partners – are eligible to offer legal, regulated online casino and poker in New Jersey. The list of approved casinos (found above) is a relatively brief one, numbering just under a dozen.

Other online casinos may advertise themselves as legal, but they’re frankly not being honest with customers. The only legal online casinos operating in New Jersey are those licensed and approved by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement.

What are the key distinctions between legal online casinos and illegal ones?

There are any number of distinctions – for example, legal online casinos pay taxes on their revenue to the state, while New Jersey receives no such benefits from illegal casinos based offshore.

But from a consumer perspective, there are three key distinctions between legal and illegal online casinos in New Jersey.

Safety of funds

You have no guarantee that your funds are safe at an illegal online casino. In fact, it’s often quite difficult to tell what company is ultimately behind the casino. And while several online casinos may advertise that they’re licensed by other jurisdictions, that doesn’t carry the same benefits as an online casino being licensed by New Jersey regulators.

That’s because NJ regulations require licensed online casinos to hold all player funds in secure accounts that are separate from the normal operational accounts of the company. These and other regulatory protections ensure that you know where your funds are, who is holding them and how to get them back if there’s a problem.

Bottom line: Your money is safer at a legal online casino.

Security of personal information

Again, without regulations to require that the casino safeguard your personal information – and the ability to crack down on operators with fines and other punishments should they not comply – illegal online casinos have little incentive to protect your personal data.

That includes the credit card or other banking information you provide in order to deposit. When you play at an online casino that isn’t regulated, you simply can’t be sure that your information will be handled in a secure, responsible manner.

Bottom line: Your information is safer at legal online casinos.

Fairness of games

All casino games favor the house.

But at an illegal online casino, you have no idea if the deck is square or if the slot reels have been rigged to prevent some outcomes and encourage others. You also have no guarantee that you’ll be paid if you do go on a lucky run and ring up a big win.

At New Jersey’s legal online casinos, games are subject to the same testing and oversight as the slot machines on the floor at the Borgata or Golden Nugget. And you can be just as sure that should you be one of the lucky few to hit an online jackpot in NJ, you’ll be paid just like you would be on the actual casino floor in New Jersey.

Who can get a license?

There are two levels of licensing related to regulated online gambling in New Jersey:

Internet Gaming Permits: This is the top level of online gambling licensure. You cannot operate a legal online casino in New Jersey without that online casino being attached to an IGP permit. And only licensed land-based casinos in NJ are eligible to even apply for an IGP.

They then can choose to develop their platform and content in-house or work with external partners. In Tropicana’s case, they chose to partner with Gamesys, who operate a number of licensed gambling sites in other regulated markets like the United Kingdom.

If a casino chooses an external partner, that partner is required to apply for CSIE approval.

Once all of the approvals are secured, the casino can legally offer online gambling to consumers under a number of distinct brands – up to five under New Jersey regulations.

New Jersey regulators provide an online self-exclusion form that players can use to quickly block their access to all of New Jersey’s regulated online casinos with a few clicks. You do not have to admit to having a gambling problem to utilize the self-exclusion form, which takes under a minute to complete.

NJ online casino gameplay FAQs

What games are available at NJ’s online casinos?

The game selection at NJ’s legal online casinos is in many ways quite similar to the game selection on the floor of an Atlantic City Casino. In all, there are hundreds of games spread across the regulated online gambling sites in NJ, including:

Table games: Classic casino offerings such as blackjack, roulette, craps, and baccarat, in both digital form and via the Live Dealer format (more on this below).

Slots: A mix of branded titles from providers like IGT and High 5 along with proprietary titles from suppliers like Amaya. Progressives and standard games available.

Video poker: Over a dozen unique variants, including casino standards like Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild.

One thing that is different about the online gaming experience is the stakes involved. You can play many games for pennies to quarters (and not the penny games that end up being a few dollars a slot pull – actual pennies), including games like Blackjack where the minimum bet in a land-based casino would usually be at least $5.

What are Live Dealer games, and how can I play them?

Live Dealer is the latest game variant to reach the NJ online casino market, having debuted in August 2016.

At its core, the format is an attempt to bridge the gap between online and live gambling.

The playing devices used to determine game outcomes are real, the dealers are real, but all wagering is handled digitally. And just like digitized table games, Live Dealer can be played from any home computer or Android/iOS powered mobile device.

Live Dealer games are streamed in real-time from a live casino studio setting, thus opening the door for players to chat live with dealers (and other players), and even tip them immediately following a favorable result.

Currently, the only NJ online casino sites to feature the format are Golden Nugget Casino and Betfair. Since launch, Golden Nugget has expanded its number of Live Dealer tables from three tables to five, and has extended the hours of operation.

To partake in Live Dealer games, simply navigate to the Golden Nugget Casino lobby, click the “Live Dealer” tab and choose a table. If a seat is open, hop right in, and place a wager just as you would at any other onlinetable game.

How is an online slot machine different from the slots I play at the casino?

More connects than separates the two. For example:

Many of the same popular titles at land-based casinos are available online. For example, Caesars offers familiar titles like Quick Hit Platinum, Davinci Diamonds, Hot Shot and Monopoly at their online casino.

The same well-known game manufacturers – like ShuffleMaster (SHFL) and IGT – power many of the online games available at NJ’s legal online casinos just as they do on the floors of Atlantic City’s terrestrial casinos.

Modern slot machines at physical casinos are generally all-digital – the physical reels of the classic one-armed bandit are quickly becoming a thing of the past. In those situations, the online version of the slot and the casino version of the slot are basically identical (save the physical cabinet housing the game).

Do NJ’s online casinos offer mobile play?

Most major online casinos in New Jersey’s regulated market offer a mobile-friendly product. See our table comparing the legal online casinos in NJ for more information.

Does anyone actually win at these games?

Everyone knows that in the casino, the house always wins over the long run. The same applies at online casinos – all of the games are built to favor the house, and no player can beat the casino over time.

So the question is more about whether or not the online games are fair in that they provide the product they advertise. For example, do their big progressive slots and other large-ticket jackpot games ever pay out?

Can I earn comps at online casinos in NJ?

Do rewards programs cross over into land-based rewards?

This varies by casino, but more and more of the online casinos in New Jersey’s regulated market are attempting to build bridges between their live casino and their online product.

Many rewards programs at online casinos allow you to earn points that can be used in the land-based program.

For example, Caesars’ online casino allows players to earn Total Rewards points for online play just as you would at any of Caesars’ land-based properties. And your Total Rewards account for the online casino is the same as the TR account you use at the live casinos, meaning that the points you earn online can be used for land-based comps just as you’d use any Total Rewards points.

At a minimum, any legal online casino in NJ will offer a rewards program that can be used for cash back and other rewards within the online casino system.

Can I earn free rooms at casinos by playing at online casinos?

Promotions at online casinos are constantly evolving, but it’s certainly not uncommon to see a promotion that involves some sort of comped room or entertainment at one of the Atlantic City casinos that operate online sites.

A big part of the long-term plan for online gambling in New Jersey is that it will support the land-based casino industry by giving more customers more reasons to interact with the casino, whether that be to gamble for a few minutes in the evening on their mobile device or spending an entire weekend at a property like the Borgata.

And online gambling should help land-based casinos better understand what it is their customers want through increased opportunities for consumer feedback and interaction.

New Jersey legal gambling: economic impact

Do these sites pay taxes?

Yes. Unlike their offshore counterparts, regulated NJ online casinos do pay taxes to the state of New Jersey. The tax rate on gross gaming revenue (basically the casino win) is 15%.

In 2014, the first full year of regulated online gambling in New Jersey, the state’s legal online casinos paid over $18 million in taxes. In 2015 they paid over $22 million in taxes and in 2016 legal online casinos paid taxes totaling more than $29 million to the state of New Jersey.

How much revenue do regulated online gambling websites make?

The amounts vary by operator and change from month to month. But the average for the first year was for poker and casino combined to generate about $10-$12 million per month in revenue total across all of the state’s regulated online casinos.

Now that New Jersey has won its sports betting case, will it be able to offer online sports betting?

New Jersey passed a law in 2014 that would legalize Nevada-style sports betting in the state. It was the second attempt at legalizing sports gambling at tracks at Atlantic City casinos. The sports leagues prevailed after the 2012 attempt was challenged in federal court. The case was then heard en banc in the Federal Court of Appeals before it was heard by the Supreme Court of the United States in December 2017.

SCOTUS publicized its decision on the case on May 14, 2018, striking down PASPA and handing NJ a major victory. Prior to the decision, some NJ operators said they would be able to offer legal sports betting within weeks of a verdict in NJ’s favor, so we expect the timeline to launch to be quite short.

Brief profiles of New Jersey’s legal online casinos

Our final entry on the list of New Jersey’s legal online casinos operates via a partnership with the Tropicana. Like Trop, Virgin is powered under the hood by the Gamesys casino platform. Gamesys also licenses and operates the Virgin brand for online gambling in other regulated markets in the UK and Europe.

The online casino products for Virgin and Tropicana are quite similar. While Virgin operates a social poker game, the brand does not offer a real-money product in New Jersey and does not appear to have any plans to do so.

Golden Nugget’s online casino is an extension of their land-based property in Atlantic City. The company also offers land-based gambling in Nevada but has yet to launch a real-money online gambling product in that state (and has no apparent plans to do so).

Like 888, Betfair cut its teeth in the international market, where it offers a variety of products. The company is best known for its sports exchange product, which is considered by many to be one of the most innovative – and profitable – sports betting products in the industry.

Tropicana’s online casino operates under the IGP of the land-based Tropicana hotel and casino in Atlantic City. The software platform for the online casino is provided by Gamesys, a major player in the international online gambling industry with a long track record of B2B successes.

Tropicana offers only casino, declining to enter New Jersey’s online poker market and making it clear that the company has no plans to enter the space in the foreseeable future.

CaesarsCasino.com is the online casino arm of Caesars Atlantic City. The primary software engine for Caesars online was launched by Amaya. Now, however, Caesars uses NYX, which has since been taken over by Scientific Games. Caesars offers an online poker product in New Jersey under the Caesars-owned World Series of Poker brand.

Caesars is also active in the Nevada online poker market via the WSOP NV brand, but does not operate in Delaware. The company is expected to be at the forefront of the next wave of markets to open up, especially Pennsylvania.

888 operates in partnership with Caesars in New Jersey. In addition to offering online casino games in New Jersey, 888 operates an online poker site that partially shares liquidity with WSOP NJ.

888 also operates in Delaware’s regulated market, offering both casino and poker, and has plans to enter the Nevada poker market shortly. The majority of 888’s business is done in the international market, where 888 is one of the largest online poker sites and does an eight-figure business in online casino and sports annually.

Borgata Casino

Borgata’s online casino is an extension of the land-based Borgata property in Atlantic City. The casino is powered by bwin.party’s casino software. Borgata also offers an online poker product that shares a platform and player pool with PartyPoker NJ.

Borgata is owned by Boyd and MGM, two land-based operators with substantial national presence. As regulated online gambling continues to spread in the United States, that nationwide network of casinos could provide interesting opportunities for Borgata to expand its online casino and poker presence.

Harrah’s Casino

Harrah’s is operated by Caesars and features many of the same games and features as the online casino at CaesarsCasino.

Like CaesarsCasino, Harrah’s is powered by the Amaya gaming platform and is tied into the broader Total Rewards program offered at Caesars-owned properties nationwide.

Mohegan Sun

Mohegan Sun is an online casino that operates under the Resorts interactive gaming license. It offers a wide variety of slots, video poker, blackjack, and roulette. All players receive a free slot spin daily. No deposit is required. The first deposit bonus is 100% up to $1,000. The wager requirement is 20 times for slots and 100 times for all other games.

Pala Casino NJ

Pala Casino NJ operates in partnership with the Borgata. But unlike the Borgata, Pala does not share technology or players with bwin.party. Instead, Pala operates on a proprietary gaming platform.

PartyPoker Casino

PartyPoker Casino is powered by the bwin.party software platform and operates under the IGP of the Borgata. The Party Casino and the Borgata online casino are more or less identical products; the same can be said for PartyPoker NJ’s poker product, which shares both platform and player pool with Borgata Poker online.

Party does not operate in Delaware or Nevada. The company has signaled its intention to work with the United Auburn Tribe in California if and when online poker is regulated in that state.

Resorts Casino

Resorts Atlantic City’s online casino is an offshoot of the company’s land-based Boardwalk property. The online casino product is powered by NYX Gaming.

The latest entry into the NJ online casino market, MGM shares a license and a platform with Borgata. MGM offers both an online casino and an online poker product.

More about NJ online casino promo codes

No deposit poker and casino bonuses – essentially free chips to try out an online poker site or casino – are a popular promotion at New Jersey’s regulated online gambling sites.

We’ve collected all of the current no deposit poker offers and no deposit casino bonuses at NJ’s legal online casinos and summarized the terms associated with each below, along with what – if any – promo codes or bonus codes are needed to take advantage of the offer.

John Mehaffey -
John is a writer for multiple online poker publications and is the author of the popular Online Poker Payment Processing Report. Read more from John by following @John_Mehaffey on Twitter.